The R&R Daily Brief: June 12, 2025
Yesterday's News in Five Minutes or Less Because Even We Can't Talk About Everything
Hey friends!
Today we're covering a major trade breakthrough with China, ongoing protests in Los Angeles, significant spending cuts moving through Congress, and more top stories making headlines.
Don't miss our new podcast episode dropping today, (no video today, still learning this software) where we're diving deep into the LA protests-turned-riots and exploring the critical questions: who is organizing these demonstrations and where is the funding coming from?
Plus, paying subscribers can look forward to a new UnFiltered episode this weekend, where we'll cover all the random crazy cultural stories we can't fit into our regular episodes.
If you're not already a paying supporter, now's the perfect time to subscribe with our 30% discount on annual subscriptions. Subscribe now and unlock all our premium content.
Let’s get into the news!
TODAY'S STORIES
U.S.-China Trade Deal Reached: 55% Tariffs, Rare Earth Access Secured - Trump announces breakthrough agreement featuring favorable tariff structure and critical mineral access
Los Angeles Riots Enter Seventh Day as Trump Deploys Marines - Anti-ICE protests spread nationwide as federal troops deployed to restore order
Harvey Weinstein Convicted on One Count in Manhattan Retrial - Mixed verdict in high-profile case as jury tensions explode during deliberations
David Hogg Resigns from DNC After Election Challenge - Young activist steps down amid party infighting over primary challenge plans
House Advances Trump's $9.4 Billion Spending Cuts Package - DOGE-backed cuts to NPR, PBS, and foreign aid move closer to final vote
U.S. Evacuates Personnel from Middle East Amid Iran Tensions - Military and diplomatic staff withdrawn as nuclear standoff intensifies
Inflation Drops to Four-Year Low - Economic relief as prices cool despite tariff predictions
Help Us Grow: Like the mainstream media, algorithms are trash! The best way to help us grow is to share the newsletter with a friend. If you found our discussion valuable, please take a moment to forward it to someone who might enjoy it, too. Word of mouth is our most powerful tool!
June 12, 202
TOP STORY
U.S.-China Trade Deal Reached: 55% Tariffs, Rare Earth Access Secured
President Trump announced a significant trade agreement with China featuring 55% U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods while China imposes only 10% on American products. The deal includes crucial provisions for China to resume shipping rare earth minerals to the U.S., which power $7 trillion worth of American goods annually, from iPhones to military defense weapons. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called this "the final China trade deal," suggesting more agreements with other countries will follow. The breakthrough came after two days of negotiations in London and marks a significant de-escalation from the previous 145% tariffs China was facing.
Further Reading:
Right: Trump says US gets rare earth minerals from China and tariffs on Chinese goods will total 55% - Associated Press
Center: Trump: Tariffs on Chinese goods set at 55 percent, US to get rare earth minerals in deal - The Hill
Left: What do we know about the US-China trade deal? - Al Jazeera
NATIONAL
Los Angeles Riots Enter Seventh Day as Trump Deploys Marines
Anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles have entered their seventh day, with President Trump deploying 700 active-duty Marines alongside 2,000 National Guard troops to quell the demonstrations. Over 330 illegal immigrants have been arrested during the riots, with 113 having prior criminal convictions, according to White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt. One rioter, Emiliano Garduno-Galvez, a previously deported Mexican national, was charged with attempted murder after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at law enforcement. California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed legal challenges to block the troop deployment, calling it "a serious breach of state sovereignty." The riots began after ICE raids last Friday and have since spread to other major cities including Atlanta, Seattle, and Chicago.
Further Reading:
Right: Trump deploys National Guard to Los Angeles to quell anti-ICE protests - Washington Times
Center: What to know about the Los Angeles immigration protests over ICE operations - CBS News
Left: June 11, 2025 - Anti-ICE protests in LA and across US - CNN
LEGAL
Harvey Weinstein Convicted on One Count in Manhattan Retrial
Harvey Weinstein was found guilty Wednesday of criminal sexual assault against former Project Runway assistant Miriam Haley, but acquitted of the same charge involving former model Kaja Sokola. The jury has yet to reach a verdict on the third-degree rape charge related to aspiring actress Jessica Mann. The partial verdict came after dramatic tensions in the jury room, with the foreman reporting he felt threatened by another juror who allegedly said "I would meet you outside one day." The first-degree criminal sex act conviction carries a maximum prison sentence of 25 years. This retrial followed the overturning of Weinstein's 2020 conviction by New York's highest court due to procedural errors.
Further Reading:
Center: Jury convicts Harvey Weinstein of top charge in retrial of #MeToo sex crimes case - Associated Press
Left: Jury convicts Harvey Weinstein of top charge in the retrial of his landmark #MeToo sex crimes case - CNN
Left : Harvey Weinstein Found Guilty of Sexual Assault After Tensions Explode on New York Jury - Variety
POLITICS
David Hogg Resigns from DNC After Election Challenge
David Hogg announced Wednesday he will not seek re-election as Democratic National Committee vice chair, following months of party infighting over his pledge to primary incumbent Democrats. The resignation comes after a DNC panel found that Hogg and fellow Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta were not properly elected earlier this year due to gender-diversity rule violations. Hogg had announced plans for his group "Leaders We Deserve" to spend $20 million challenging "out-of-touch, ineffective" House Democrats in safe blue seats. DNC Chair Ken Martin had stressed that party officers should remain neutral in primaries, creating a "fundamental disagreement about the role of a Vice Chair."
Further Reading:
Right: David Hogg will not seek re-election to DNC Vice Chair post following ouster - Fox News
Center: DNC votes to redo vice chair elections of Hogg, Kenyatta - The Hill
Left: DNC pushes back on David Hogg's plans to support primary challenges against Democratic incumbents - CNN
BUDGET
House Advances Trump's $9.4 Billion Spending Cuts Package
The House moved closer to approving President Trump's $9.4 billion spending cuts package Wednesday, which would slash $8.3 billion from USAID and $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting that funds NPR and PBS. Republican leaders have positioned this "rescissions package" as the first step in codifying billions in government waste identified by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Trump allies view this as a test of what kinds of cuts congressional Republicans can stomach. However, some Republicans express concerns, with Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) noting the media funding represents less than 0.01% of the federal budget and warning it would "dismantle a trusted source of information for millions of Americans."
Further Reading:
Right: House advances Trump's $9.4B spending cuts package targeting NPR, PBS, USAID - Fox News
Center: PBS, NPR funding on the line as House nears final vote on $9.4 billion in DOGE-backed cuts - CNBC
Left: White House asks Congress to claw back $9.4 billion in funding for foreign aid, NPR, PBS - CBS News
INTERNATIONAL
U.S. Evacuates Personnel from Middle East Amid Iran Tensions
The United States has begun pulling troops and non-military staff from the Middle East following Iran's firm rejection of nuclear talks, with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declaring Trump's statements "not worth a response" and chanting "Death to America, death to Israel." The U.S. ordered all embassies within striking distance of Iran to convene emergency action committees and send cables about risk mitigation measures, leading to departures of all non-military personnel from Iraq. Senator Tom Cotton confirmed that Iran's terrorist regime is "actively working towards a nuclear weapon," warning this "cannot be allowed to happen." President Trump stated simply: "They can't have a nuclear weapon. We're not going to allow that."
Further Reading:
Right: Israel preparing for a possible strike on Iran's nuclear sites - Daily Signal
Left: U.S. agencies alarmed by China's curbs on exports of rare-earth minerals - Washington Post
ECONOMY
Inflation Drops to Four-Year Low
Inflation rose just 0.1% in May compared to April, bringing the annual rate to 2.4% - just off a four-year low. Products seeing the steepest declines included milk, eggs, smartphones, and gas. Economists had predicted inflation would worsen as President Trump's tariffs took effect, but those predictions have yet to materialize. This positive economic news comes as the administration celebrates the China trade deal and pushes forward with its domestic agenda.
Further Reading:
Right: Inflation finally cools, but L.A. remains hot - Daily Wire Morning Wire
Center: Federal Reserve watches inflation data closely - Federal Reserve
That's all for today's morning update. Stay informed and have a great Thursday!
We would love to hear from you! What story this week surprised you the most? And what are your weekend plans? Drop a comment or send us a message to let us know.